A simulated teenager’s bedroom will be part of the substance abuse program held Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Crossing Rivers Health. Local law enforcement and youth development professionals are teaming up with the hospital to give a presentation about the misuse and abuse of substances in area communities.

By Correne Martin

Is substance abuse a problem or a crisis?

A panel of experts in the fields of law enforcement, medical and youth development are teaming up to provide an eye-opening presentation on substance abuse, the latest trends, what to look for when misuse or abuse is suspected, and where to turn for help. The town hall-style presentation will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the Crossing Rivers Health (CRH) George Family Education Center.

“Our goal is to be part of the solution and not the problem,” said Heidi Kirschbaum, emergency room coordinator at CRH.

The public is invited to attend and hear local professionals address problems in area communities regarding use and abuse of alcohol, heroin, meth, opioids (prescription drugs), etc.

Feed the need for musical hilarity with the delicious sci-fi smash about a man-eating plant, “Little Shop of Horrors.” Prairie du Chien High School is performing the musical Nov. 3-5 and 11-12. Thursday and Friday performances take place at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday performances include both 1 p.m. matinees and 7:30 p.m. showings, all in the Prairie du chien High School Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

“Little Shop of Horrors” has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin”) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.

On Monday, Oct. 24, the Wauzeka-Steuben School District conducted its Annual Meeting. At this meeting, District Administrator Robert Sailer presented information on the basics of school funding for public schools in the state of Wisconsin. He also reviewed the financial history of the district and the projected expenditures and revenues for the 2016-2017 school year.

Crawford County Circuit Court Judge Lynn Rider found probable cause Wednesday afternoon to proceed with the case involving a 49-year-old Georgia man charged in the death of his girlfriend in the town of Bridgeport on Oct. 5.

During the month of October, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department received reports of theft from the property of 55245 County B in the township of Freeman. Several miscellaneous items of value have been stolen such as ammunition, hydraulic jacks, Milwaukee hammer-drill, Stihl pole chainsaw, money, etc.

The Crawford County Crime Stoppers urges anyone having information about this or any other crimes to call 326-8933 or 1-866-779-PAYS. Anyone calling either of these numbers with a Crime Stoppers tip will remain anonymous and a reward of up to $1,000 will be paid for a tip which solves a crime with an arrest, charges being filed and/or recovery of stolen property.

A 62-year-old Muscoda man and a 52-year-old Steuben man have each been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine as a party to a crime.

Kim Wardell and Kevin C. Crowley each face up to 3.5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, a Sheriff’s Department deputy stopped a vehicle in the town of Clayton because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

A small plastic baggie and a cigarette box containing another plastic baggie were found in the search. Both baggies had a white crystalline substance inside which is consistent with the physical characteristics of meth, the complaint said.

The passenger of the vehicle was Crowley and the driver of the vehicle was Wardell, the complaint said.

The 22nd Street Apartment project proposed in September by developer Luke Pelton has been terminated by the developer, who has determined the Prairie du Chien project will not be profitable. This news was given to city administration on Oct. 18 and shared with the Redevelopment Authority during its Tuesday, Oct. 25, meeting.

According to City Administrator Aaron Kramer, the property will revert back to the Redevelopment Authority, which previously approved the sale of the land to 22nd Street LLC on Sept. 27.

A 54-year-old Soldiers Grove man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine and one count of possession of marijuana.

David V. Pugh Sr. faces up to $11,000 in fines and four years imprisonment if convicted of both counts.

According to the criminal complaint, while the Wisconsin DNR and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department were searching Pugh’s residence for evidence of ginseng harvesting violations, they found evidence of controlled substance violations.

An expanded search warrant was obtained and the residence was searched again. According to the complaint, four glass smoking devices with burned residue were found, along with two styrofoam plates, each containing a white powdery residue which turned out to be meth. Marijuana was also found in the search.

Pugh admitted the meth, marijuana, pipes and paraphernalia were his, the complaint said.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, area voters will make choices on the national and state election levels. One of those races is the 32nd Wisconsin State Senate District. Candidates are incumbent Jennifer Shilling (D) and challenger Dan Kapanke (R), who formerly held the seat but was recalled and replaced by Shilling in a 2011 recall election. Editor Correne Martin spoke with both of them personally to ask them a number of questions. Their answers are below.